The Red-Clothed Archbishops and Ferrymen were all shrewd individuals, and they all left their seats the moment they sensed something was amiss.
By the time people looked over, the area was already empty.
However, the entire Pathenon Mountain had long been cut off from the outside world; they couldn't escape.
And indeed, they were currently searching for any means of escape at the foot of the mountain, but it was destined to be in vain.
At the grand ceremony.
Pamir slowly recovered from her extreme pain. She didn't scream curses hysterically, nor did she try to flee. She simply looked at Jiang Yuan and asked the confusion in her heart:
"What is the purpose of everything you're doing? If it's to eradicate the Black Vatican, you can't succeed. Even if I die, if the Red-Clothed Archbishops die, if all Black Vatican members die, one day in the future, a new Black Vatican will still take root and sprout in the dark side of humanity."
The inherent flaws of humanity were just like this; those eternally unfulfilled desires would eventually breed new devils.
"What does that have to do with me? All I want are the lives of you Black Vatican members," Jiang Yuan said indifferently.
"You..." Pamir was speechless.
"Enough talk, today's main event is about to begin," Jiang Yuan said.
The space shook, and the seven Red-Clothed Archbishops and seven Ferrymen who were fleeing down the mountain were all moved onto the stage.
Pamir was in the center, surrounded by the seven Red-Clothed Archbishops, and on the outermost ring were the seven Ferrymen.
A total of fifteen people formed a pattern of unknown significance.
Just as Pamir thought the main event was her and the Black Vatican higher-ups being judged, she heard Jiang Yuan throw a ball of light to Xinxia:
"Xinxia, this is the casting memory of Prayer Technique. Learn it, then pray for me in your name."
For the Underworld King, who toyed with souls, extracting memories was effortless, and it wasn't the first time he had done this.
Xinxia received the memory; all the casting mysteries of Prayer Technique were contained within.
She closed her eyes, learning Prayer Technique.
A moment later.
Xinxia opened her eyes.
This exclusive secret art of the Hall Mother now belonged to her as well.
"Brother Yuan, what do you want to pray for?" Xinxia asked.
"Wait a moment."
Jiang Yuan threw a wisp of Death aura at Pamir's feet, quickly connecting her and all the Black Vatican higher-ups.
Immediately after, the clear, bright sky was shrouded in dark clouds, and everything became gray.
"Ugh~~~"
"Woo~~~~~"
Sounds from hell echoed in everyone's ears, seemingly far away, yet also close at hand.
Even covering one's ears, these eerie ghostly sounds could still be heard.
Death aura appeared from unknown places, quickly enveloping the entire ceremony grounds and spreading down the mountain.
"Ah!!!!"
Sudden screams reverberated.
Through layers of Death aura, people horrifyingly saw Pamir and the Black Vatican higher-ups wailing in agony.
The Death aura entwined around them was constantly twisting their souls.
"I want to leave here!"
"Let me go!!"
People shouted in panic, and many mages began throwing magic around them, instantly turning the scene chaotic.
"Everyone, don't panic!" Xinxia activated the power of her divine soul, hastily calming them.
Fortunately, the calming was timely, preventing casualties.
The ritual continued.
Pamir and the others' souls had completely detached from their bodies, rising into mid-air and twisting, appearing exceptionally terrifying and eerie.
"Now, Xinxia, begin the prayer!"
"Tell the world everything the Black Vatican has done! Pray that the souls of all wicked Black Vatican members fall into the Underworld, suffering twisted torment for all eternity!" Jiang Yuan roared.
A massive gray light formation appeared in the sky!
The Twisted Undead were summoned along with it.
It looked at the twisted souls of Pamir and the others with longing, roaring!
"So hungry!!!!!"
"I want to eat them!!!!!"
On the other side, Xinxia had been waiting for a long time, clasping her hands together and beginning to pray.
Her divine soul shone brightly, and the prayer appeared in the minds of every believer worldwide!
"Believers, the Black Vatican has stirred up peace, causing countless lives to perish in the ravages of war and magic, leaving people displaced and families shattered."
"Prosperous cities instantly turned into ruins, vibrant lives were ruthlessly devoured, and survivors struggled in pain and fear for the rest of their lives."
"The Black Vatican disregards human life, commits all kinds of evil, and poses a huge threat to world peace and human safety."
"Today, I, Ye Xinxia, the new Goddess, pray to the gods here!"
"Pray that the souls of all wicked Black Vatican members fall into the Underworld, suffering twisted torment for all eternity!"
Xinxia's words reminded people of the tragic atrocities committed by the Black Vatican.
Their relatives, partners, friends...
Everything they cherished had been lost to the Black Vatican's schemes.
The believers who heard the prayer also clasped their hands together, responding to Xinxia with their own prayers.
"I, Caroline, pray for the Black Vatican..."
"I, Doron, pray..."
"..."
Each person's prayer was conveyed to Xinxia's mind, and her divine soul bore the Prayer Technique, collecting these prayers.
A warm light shone on Pathenon Mountain.
At the boundary between life and Death, Pamir and the others, as well as the Twisted Undead, all gathered together.
Prayer Technique would use them as a bridge to find all Black Vatican members!
The Black Vatican would meet its doomsday today!
...
The calm world began to change.
Someone walking on the street suddenly knelt to the ground.
Someone fighting another person suddenly had their magic dissipate.
Someone judging evil had their hammer and head fall heavily together.
There were many, many more such incidents, and without exception, they were all Black Vatican members hidden among the populace.
Perhaps before they awakened their memories, they didn't even know they were Black Vatican members.
Their souls silently vanished, crossing the barriers of mountains and seas to appear above Pathenon Mountain.
For a time, the entire sky was occupied by various twisted souls.
The overlapping, chaotic wails made one want to vomit.
Jiang Yuan even saw an extremely familiar face among them.
It was Yu Ang.
At this moment, he was also one of these countless twisted souls!
"Twisted Undead, you can start eating!" Once all the souls were in place, Jiang Yuan said without hesitation.
In an instant, the unleashed Twisted Undead grabbed the souls around it and began to chew.
With each soul it swallowed, its body swelled by a portion, and its aura also rose!
Lesser Monarch.
Greater Monarch.
Supreme Monarch.
"Ah ah ah ah ah ah!!!!"
Pamir wailed unconsciously, her soul, already twisted beyond human recognition, was clutched in the Twisted Undead's hand.
The next moment, an eerie chewing sound rang out.
When the Twisted Undead swallowed Pamir, its aura surged again.
Invincible Monarch!
"These are not enough!"
Jiang Yuan suddenly turned around, his cold gaze making Xinxia's heart tremble.